guys over 50 doing maintenance

51 here. I enjoy it when I can plan the work. So maintenance, upgrades, or nuisance fixes are fine. Breakdowns not so much. We only own 2 cars. We thought hard about getting a 3rd, so that I could weather longer repairs, but for the $ it just made more sense to trade what I had and get newer.

I also enjoy basic maintenance help for a few single friends from church who don’t have husbands to help them out. Again, I can schedule all that.

My current vehicle is newer and gets something like 5 free oil changes at the dealer. However, that means I lose a couple hours each time out of my day, and right now, schedule is king. Less stressful for me to do the work myself and use OEM branded oil/filter (just to go a little extra way in case a warranty claim is ever needed) because I can do it on my own time.

I’m not doing medium sized work, such as lifts and such, at this point. Fluids, electrics, brakes, rotations. It has to be something I can start and finish inside of a day.
 
68 years old or young and still going at it. I do as much as is possible (fluid and filter changes, brakes, HVAC, shocks, tire rotations, electrical, spark plug changes, etc.) so I do not have to pay someone else. I do most jobs at my leisure, and that I've purchased tools to make wrenching easier (3 ton floor jack, 6 ton jackstands, Milwaukee M12 3/8" drive ratchet, Ridgid 18 Volt impact wrench, etc.). I'll wait to do jobs when the weather is pleasant whenever possible.

Yes, I may have a few aches and pains after doing maintenance/repair jobs, but I'll just take some extra acetaminophen and maybe an extra Celebrex for a day or two, and then it will likely be time to mow the lawn or do something else. Overall, while I'm not as fast as I was say 10 years ago, I still get things done in reasonable time. I'm just happy I am still able to do what I want to do.
 
82 here and only do service and a few easy to get at repairs on the kubota since it requires less contortion. Did change the radiator in the 95 GMC a while back but wouldn't change the heater core. Since I`ve had chronic back and joint problems for 45 years the exercises prescribed by the Docs have been helpful. Stopped engine overhauls 5 years ago but am looking for something to put the last small block a 327 into. Will be seeking help from interested family.
 
Age 70, Have done all the oil changes on the Maverick, 6 so far. The F-150 was a nightmare I wanted no part of. Still do the interior maintenance, harder than the oil changes IMO. Just did wiper blades. Topped off all the under hood fluids. Dual coolant tanks were spot on so none needed. Changed the engine and cabin air filters with OEM Motorcraft. Had Discount Tire do the rotation and balance because I don't have a decent jack. I paid for this in some way when the tires were installed. They did a good job. Smooth to 80 mph so far.
 
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Gosh when I was 50 everyplace I worked at thought I was and gave me jobs a teenager should have had, it seemed it was like that into the mid 60's too. Think its bad in your 50's just wait, the fun is yet to come.
 
48 here and starting to realize how much I hurt after working on cars. I’m not giving up yet, but I’m starting to think through my next steps. Having an 11, 9, and 5 year old will help. Time for them to become my hands and back.
 
Zee09 said:
Nice to see others in the same
boat. I don't set a day to do car work.
Only when I feel good and in the mood do I attack it and actually I feel empowered afterwards because some vehicles are a real hassle to work on.. When I was in my 50s I had no trouble at all.
Click to expand...
Yeah at 73 I took 3 days to do the timing belt on my 2000 4Runner. A couple hours each day was plenty. Here is the fun part……The previous time I did that cam belt was 2009. 16 years to accumulate 100k miles. So I doubt I will be doing that again. Very often these days when I complete a project I consider how long it is between it being needed, and if there is much chance it will be me doing next time. The thought process is rather freeing.
 
61did a few oil changes in the street a couple of weeks ago and it was a little cold. Last one I wiggled out from underneath the car and rolled on my side. After a few minutes my neighbor walked up to check on me thought I was dead 😂. I was to cold and stiff to get up just layed there to get the energy
 
I turned 61 last month. I still do all my maintenance on cars and house. Will be putting on a new shingle roof this summer and am planning a full kitchen renovation for the fall/winter. Just completed renovation of laundry room and garage.
Am I sore the next day? Of course but as a city firefighter, I retired at 52, I often felt beaten after work even in my late twenties so I guess I’m conditioned to it lol
 
I still value my time underneath the cars and find that it’s better now. I can now afford parts as needed, and I have the proper tools, or at least more tools than when I was poorer. I also am more methodical and thoughtful on jobs. I think it gets better with time as long as you can stay physically capable.
 
Be 63 in August. Still keep up family vehicles. Just purchased OEM exchanger for all the fluid changes. We haven't sent a vehicle in a shop in years and don't plan to for many years. Retired-disabled with cage in back. Took care of wife for 10 years after stroke put her in wheelchair. She's in hospice so I don't have time at present however still buying tools.
 
Im 56 and I crawl around cars all day long still. I did stop laying in my gravel driveway as much as possible. I have a 18x24 slab on my 2nd lot I use for oil changes and greasing things.

In the near future I will get putting a lower ball joint and wheel bearing in the Fjcruiser. That will be done in the dirt/ gravel as the slab is too far away to use for that.
 
In my early 70's and I still do all the basic maintenance on my three vehicles to include brakes, plugs etc. I am retired so I have plenty of time to do it. I go easy. I am careful how I move and plan accordingly. Sometimes my body pays for it the next day. I still do all the maintenance around and in my house. When I get to the point when I can no longer do it I will have others do it.

In the meantime I am learning my age limits and accept it.
 
50 here, and doing the timing belt on the Pilot made me realize I'm not as flexible as I was 20 years ago. My back was sore for a couple days after that, and the wife found some back exercises so I could get more flexible again.
 
Exhaustgases said:
Gosh when I was 50 everyplace I worked at thought I was and gave me jobs a teenager should have had, it seemed it was like that into the mid 60's too. Think its bad in your 50's just wait, the fun is yet to come.
Click to expand...
Or in the 70s.

To summarize, it's like an old car that "works fairly well most of the time" but needs a lot of maintenance and repairs.
 
I'm 65. I do routine service on our cars and tackle other stuff when it's accessible. Working in tight spots is out for me now because my hands cramp bad from arthritis. We buy appliances without computers and I work on them a good bit. As long as I have room to work I'll tackle things. I still work full time in a physical job and stretch every night which really helps keep me limber especially my lower back. I did slow down noticeably starting about 3 years ago. You just have to get up and get started and then I'm fine. Setting really tightens me up.
 
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